DC Studios and HBO are nearing the final stages of casting for their much-anticipated series, Lanterns. According to multiple sources, Aaron Pierre, known for his role in Netflix’s Rebel Ridge, and Stephan James, recently seen in The Piano Lesson, are top contenders to portray John Stewart, a fan-favorite Green Lantern.
It remains unclear whether the actors are currently testing or reading for the part, but insiders suggest that a casting decision could be made as early as this weekend.
READ: HBO Orders ‘Lanterns,’ Centering on One of DC’s First Black Superheroes John Stewart
Damson Idris, star of FX’s Snowfall, was previously in contention for the role, but scheduling conflicts have reportedly taken him out of the running.
While HBO and DC have declined to comment on the casting process, Lanterns has already secured a straight-to-series order and boasts a heavyweight creative team. Chris Mundy (Ozark), Damon Lindelof (Watchmen, Lost), and acclaimed comic book writer Tom King are executive producing, with Mundy set to serve as showrunner.
The series will star Emmy-winning actor Kyle Chandler as Hal Jordan, a seasoned Green Lantern. Chandler, known for his work in Friday Night Lights and Bloodline, was cast after DC reportedly sought a film star to anchor the series. Chandler will play the mentor role opposite a younger Green Lantern, John Stewart.
Lanterns promises a gritty, crime-thriller feel reminiscent of True Detective, centering on Jordan and Stewart as intergalactic lawmen investigating a mysterious murder in the American Midwest. The series will span eight episodes and is produced by HBO in collaboration with Warner Bros Television and DC Studios.
The character of John Stewart is a major figure in DC Comics, created by writer Dennis O’Neil and artist Neal Adams in 1971. He became one of DC’s first Black superheroes, and his live-action debut is one of the most significant casting opportunities for a young Black actor in recent years.
Aaron Pierre, who previously appeared in DC’s Krypton, and Stephan James, a Golden Globe and Emmy nominee, are among the final contenders for this highly coveted role.
With Lanterns marking one of the first projects to emerge from DC Studios’ new slate, all eyes are on who will step into the iconic Green Lantern uniform.